Bradley Bayou

Most people who recognize the name Bradley Bayou probably know him for his daytime TV persona: He's a regular guest on the estrogen-fueled kaffeeklatsch known as "The View" on ABC. On Lifetime, he rescues the aesthetically challenged in a show called "Operation Style." But he is also a fashion designer, and earlier this month, he was named creative director for the American fashion house Halston, which might be just the thing the long-suffering brand needs.

Most people who recognize the name Bradley Bayou probably know him for his daytime TV persona: He's a regular guest on the estrogen-fueled kaffeeklatsch known as "The View" on ABC. On Lifetime, he rescues the aesthetically challenged in a show called "Operation Style." But he is also a fashion designer, and earlier this month, he was named creative director for the American fashion house Halston, which might be just the thing the long-suffering brand needs.

Get an insider's look at Hollywood and fashion Wednesday at a 7 p.m. panel discussion featuring costumers and fashion designers at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum, 7021 Hollywood Blvd. "Hollywood and Fashion: Who Sets Trends?" panelists include costumers Albert Wolsky, Mona May, and Betsy Heimann, designer Bradley Bayou, and John Eshaya of Ron Herman-Fred Segal. The event is sponsored by the Fashion Group International and the Costume Designers Guild.

The designer lineup for L.A.'s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios has been announced, and along with past headliners Louis Verdad, Eduardo Lucero, Sue Wong, Oligo Tissew and Kevan Hall, several newcomers have been added to the schedule of 20 shows, happening in Culver City on Oct. 16 to 20. The biggest name is St. John, signaling its continued pursuit of a younger, fresher image.

Just call them the Wild Bunch. They won't mind--not these highfalutin, high-fashion celebs who attended Monday's premiere of "Wild Wild West" at the Village Theatre in Westwood. One by one, the posse of celebrities in the movie sashayed down the red carpet in wild wild duds. Salma Hayek wore a Bradley Bayou couture gown that the Los Angeles designer described as "a mix of European gypsy, Indian fabric and American 18th century corset."

The most important accessory at the Golden Globes Sunday wasn't a diamond bracelet or a satin shawl. It was an umbrella. But the rain didn't stop the fashion parade. Singer Courtney Love did grunge glamour in a John Galliano couture slashed and beaded black gown. Halle Berry wore a slinky white gown with red accents. Pauletta Washington, wife of Denzel, was dressed in a red off-the-shoulder gown and carried a red evening bag in the shape of boxing gloves. L.A.

"There's too much seriousness in our lives," says New York hotshot designer Byron Lars, who does what he can to lighten the load. He starts with American classics, such as men's shirts, and puts a clever spin on them for women. His ideal offering for a last laugh on New Year's Eve is a strapless tuxedo shirtdress with peak collar, jet buttons and ruffles that commence at the bust line rather than the neck. The dress is fun, but it isn't frivolous.

When in doubt, stick with Plan A. That seemed to be the decision of the most visible actresses at the Academy Awards. In the days leading up to the ceremony, it was assumed that some glamour girls would replace their carefully selected gowns with sackcloth. Hardly.

Halston was America's first celebrity designer, creator of Jackie O's famous pillbox hat and a hard-partying denizen of Studio 54. He was also one of the first fashion figures to license his name, an experiment that failed miserably at the time but paved the way for the democratization of fashion as we know it today. And now, the latest iteration of his design legacy, the contemporary brand Halston Heritage, has a new home at the Beverly Center shopping mall. The Los Angeles-based Halston Heritage opened its West Coast flagship Friday, three weeks after opening its first-ever store on Madison Avenue in New York City.